The phenomenon of drug resistance in micro-organisms necessitates the search for new compounds capable of combating them. Fungi emerge as a promising source of such compounds as they produce a wide range of secondary metabolites with bacteriostatic or fungistatic activity. These compounds can serve as alternatives for commonly used antibiotics. Furthermore, fungi also accumulate compounds with antiviral activity. This review focuses on filamentous fungi and macrofungi as sources of antimicrobial compounds. The article describes both individual isolated compounds and extracts that exhibit antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity. These compounds are produced by the fruiting bodies and mycelium, as well as the biomass of mycelial cultures. Additionally, this review characterizes the chemical compounds extracted from mushrooms used in the realm of cosmetology; specifically, their antimicrobial activity.

Wykorzystywanie ziół lub ich części: liści, korzeni, kłączy, kwiatów, nasion, plech, a także ekstraktów czy izolowanych metabolitów jest coraz bardziej popularne. Leki naturalne nie tylko działają profilaktycznie, wspomagają łagodzenie objawów wielu chorób, ale również wzmacniają ogólne funkcjonowanie narządów. Wiele surowców pochodzenia naturalnego ma znaczenie w leczeniu problemów zdrowotnych oraz w przypadku poważnych chorób takich jak np. depresja. Depresja (choroba afektywna) dotyczy obecnie około 10 % populacji, ale w ciągu kilku następnych lat ze względu na rozwój cywilizacji i wzrost tempa życia, prawdopodobna liczba cierpiących na to schorzenie może gwałtownie wzrosnąć. Surowce naturalne takie jak: Bacopa monnieri, Crocus sativus, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Griffonia simplicifolia, Hypericum perforatum, Sceletium tortuosum, Piper methysticum, Rhodiola rosea, Aspalathus linearis, Camellia sinensis, Ficus carica, Lycium chinense, Cuminum cyminum, Panax Ginseng są zaliczane do skutecznych w profilaktyce i wspomaganiu leczenia depresji. Podstawowe znaczenie w zapobieganiu tej choroby może mieć również codzienna dieta. Stwierdzono, że 5-hydroksy-L-tryptofan, L-tryptofan jako prekursorzy serotoniny w OUN, kwasy tłuszczowe omega-3 oraz kwas antarnilowy (witamina L1) wpływają na poprawę nastroju. L-Tryptofan, 5-hydroksy-L-tryptofan występuje w największych ilościach w owocnikach grzybów jadalnych. Kwasy tłuszczowe omega-3 występują w mięsie ryb, oraz w orzechach włoskich, soi, fasoli i białku jaj kurzych, natomiast kwas antranilowy powszechnie występuje w roślinach.

This paper presents the current state of knowledge on the biological activity and possible medicinal applications of selected species of the genus Ganoderma: Ganoderma adspersum (Schulzer) Donk, Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat., Ganoderma carnosum Pat., Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst., Ganoderma pfeifferi Bres., Ganoderma resinaceum Boud. These inedible, wood-decaying fungi are pathogens that cause the enzymatic decomposition of wood. They are a valued natural medicinal resource and have been used in traditional Far Eastern medicine for centuries. Research conducted on these species using modern analytical methods has led to advances in knowledge of the potential therapeutic use of compounds isolated not only from basidiocarps but also from biomass obtained by in vitro methods. Recent pharmacological studies have confirmed the known traditional uses of these species, elucidated previously unknown mechanisms of biological action, and found evidence of new biological activities, such as anticancer, cytotoxic, antiallergic, and neuroprotective activities. Furthermore, the article updated the state of knowledge on the general mycological characteristics of these species.

Terpenes and their derivatives comprise a diverse group of natural compounds with versatile medicinal properties. This article elucidates the general characteristics of fungal terpenes and terpenoids, encompassing their structure and biogenesis. The focal point of this work involves a comprehensive overview of these compounds, highlighting their therapeutic properties, mechanisms of action, and potential applications in treating specific skin conditions. Numerous isolated terpenes and terpenoids have demonstrated noteworthy anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects, rivalling or surpassing the efficacy of currently employed treatments for inflammation or skin infections. Due to their well-documented antioxidant and anti-cancer attributes, these compounds exhibit promise in both preventing and treating skin cancer. Terpenes and terpenoids sourced from fungi display the capability to inhibit tyrosinase, suggesting potential applications in addressing skin pigmentation disorders and cancers linked to melanogenesis dysfunctions. This paper further disseminates the findings of clinical and in vivo research on fungal terpenes and terpenoids conducted thus far.